9. Jesus’ primary purpose in our shared work is to be able to enjoy a deepening relationship with me.
(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.)
ONE WAY TO INCLUDE JESUS IN OUR WORK IS TO FIND “PROMPTS,” THINGS THAT HAPPEN REGULARLY THAT WE CAN USE TO RE-FOCUS OUR ATTENTION, TO SIMPLY NOTICE THAT JESUS IS PRESENT. PROMPTS COULD BE AN ALARM ON OUR CELL PHONES, BREAKS DURING OUR WORK, OPENING A DOOR, AND MORE. ALMOST ANYTHING COULD BE USED TO PROMPT OUR ATTENTION TO JESUS DURING OUR WORK. WHAT MIGHT BE A PROMPT IN YOUR WORK?
WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON A GOOD DAY AT WORK, WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE TO IMAGINE THAT YOUR FEELING OF SATISFACTION IS COMING FROM GOD, IT’S HIS SMILE AS HE JOINS YOU IN SAVORING THE DAY?
HOW COULD YOU “CELEBRATE” THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT, OR A SEASON OF WORK? CAN YOU IMAGINE INVITING JESUS TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU?
Although God did not create humanity for the purpose of work and God does not need our efforts, work is still a big part of our lives here on earth. What then does God think of our work, how might God want us to work, and what does God desire from us in our work? God’s desire is for a deep relationship with us. He wants to walk with us in every aspect of our lives.
Whether in play, work, rest, celebration, or fellowship with others, God longs to participate, to be included, and to enjoy a relationship with us. Because our work often consumes the greatest amount of time and energy it is important that we find ways to include Jesus in our work. This can be difficult for many reasons.
1. Work requires our attention, and we may struggle to do our work and hold an awareness of Jesus at the same time.
2. Including Jesus in our work requires us to have a different priority than our employers and our customers may have for our work.
3. To value the relationship with Jesus, and with others, over and above the outcomes of our work will challenge what our culture tells us about our work.
With Jesus’ help these difficulties can be met and we can discover a new dimension to our work. When we include Jesus in our work, when we focus the eyes of our hearts on him while we are working, when we invite him into our work, we can experience an added richness to our relationship with him and a lightness in our work. For example, we may enjoy hanging out with friends, eating, drinking, and playing—and in doing so, deepen our friendship. But we can also, as friends, join in a common goal, a task, a job, and as we work together, we expand our relationship into new and deeper places.
Working together with friends deepens the relationship and makes the work more enjoyable. Jesus loves hanging out, he likes potlucks and worship services, but Jesus also enjoys the meaningful dynamic of a shared effort.